Step Back in Time at the Rome Clock Tower

Whether you’re a history buff or just like to sightsee around the local areas, one thing you should not overlook is the Rome Clock Tower. This is one of the oldest landmarks in Rome, Georgia, making it one of the best things to see in Rome. If you’re headed in from out of state or just taking a quick drive from Cartersville in your new Hyundai, don’t hesitate to step back in time at the Rome Clock Tower.

History of the Clock Tower

The Clock Tower has a long and interesting history, something most locals know much about. Built in 1871, the tower was created under the direction of James Noble, Jr. and his family. The purpose of the clock tower was to hold more than 250,000 gallons of water, which would be used to serve the entire city. Interesting facts about this clock tower include:

10-foot sheets of iron were used to build the frame

Red bricks were used to surround the iron-sheeted frame

The tank alone stood 3 feet tall and 26 feet wide

Why Call it a Clock Tower?

Since the “clock tower” was designed to hold water, why did it get its name? Sitting atop the water tank is a bell and four clock faces located within the structure. This piece of the tower stands 41 feet tall, and the clocks and bell were added one year after the water tank was constructed. A few facts about the clocks include:

Each face has a 9-foot diameter

Hour hands are 3-feet, 6-inches long

Minute hands are 4-feet, 3-inches long

Bell is 40 inches wide and made from genuine bronze

Clocks were designed by E. Howard Clock Company

Current Rome Clock Tower

By the 1890s, the tank could no longer support Rome’s water needs, and the tower then sat empty. Because of this, it started to face disrepair for nearly a century. However, in 1986, the Rome Jaycees raised money to bring the tower back to life. Today, it’s a museum that houses art. The clock tower now stands at 104 feet tall and can be seen from nearly everywhere in Rome.

Visit Riverside Hyundai Today

If you want to enjoy the Rome clock in Georgia or take in other local sights and great restaurants in Rome and Cedartown, be sure to do so with a new vehicle from Riverside Hyundai. Contact us today to learn more about our financing options or to see what else there is to do around town!